Francis “Frank” Anthony Clerici Sr. of Walpole, a former quality control manager and pilot of small airplanes, died May 26, 2016, at home with his family nearby. He was 81.
Born on March 22, 1935, Frank was a lifelong Walpole resident and a 1952 graduate of Walpole High School, where he played football. He earned two bachelor degrees from Northeastern University, and always cheered on his Huskies during the annual Beanpot Tournament.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army as a lieutenant and he worked as a quality control manager primarily at Codex and then Cole Hersee. While at Codex, he coached the company’s ice hockey team to the 1984/85 industrial league championship title. His middle son, David Clerici, was among the players.
Frank was a longtime member of the Walpole Italian-American Club and Walpole Italian-American Society, serving as an officer for many years. He was also involved in many charities and was a committee member for the “Camy 5K Run & David 5K Walk,” which is held annually in Walpole and is named after his father, Camilio “Camy” Clerici, and son, David, both of whom died in 2000.
He also enjoyed being a pilot, having often flown solo; and staying active in sports alongside his sons Frank Clerici Jr. in golf, David in ice hockey, and Paul Clerici in road races. He also competed in several bocce leagues at the Walpole Italian-American Club.
Frank loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes; and traveling, which included trips to Cape Cod, Florida, San Francisco, Hawaii, Canada, Bermuda, and a cruise.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Hunt-Clerici, son Frank Jr. and daughter-in-law Regina Clerici, and son, Paul, all of Walpole. He was also the father of the late David of Walpole. He also leaves his sister, Jean St. George, of Walpole, and nephews William St. George Jr. of Holliston and Michael St. George of Walpole. He was the son of the late Camilio and Rosina Clerici of Walpole.
Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, June 1, from 3-7 p.m., at Ginley Funeral Home, 892 Main St., Walpole. His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 2, at 9 a.m. from Ginley Funeral Home, followed by a funeral Mass at Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond St., Walpole, at 10 a.m. A reception will follow the funeral Mass on Thursday, June 2, at the Walpole Italian-American Club, 109 Stone St., Walpole. Burial will be at the Massachusetts National Cemetery for veterans in Bourne, Cape Cod, on Friday, June 3, at 1:15 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy made payable to “Camy 5K” may be made to Camy 5K Run & David 5K Walk, 19 Chapman St., Walpole, MA 02081.